State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on the Illinois Senate’s vote today to freeze property taxes:

Today, I voted to provide much-needed relief to Illinois taxpayers by supporting a measure to freeze property taxes for two years.

Illinois residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. I have heard from many of my constituents who are frustrated with what seems like an ever-increasing property tax bill. This legislation will provide some relief for Illinois residents by freezing property taxes for two years.

As with many issues in Springfield, we still have more work to do to extend this tax break to Chicago residents.

State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) advanced legislation to support condominium owners’ rights in the event of the sale of their building. Under Mulroe’s plan, a higher percentage of condominium owners would need to vote to sell the property for the deal to be approved.

“This legislation is an important step to ensure that the decision to sell a condominium property is truly the choice of the majority of residents,” Mulroe said. “This plan will provide greater protection for condo owners, especially in large buildings, against a forced sale.”

House Bill 2401 requires 75 percent of owners to vote to sell a property if it contains between four and six units and 85 percent of owners to vote to sell a property that contains seven or more units. Under current law, two-thirds of property owners must approve a sale of a property that contains up to three units and 75 percent of owners must approve the sale of a property that contains four or more units. The bill also clarifies that classes of membership, such as resident-owner, refer only to voting and not to other agreements that may distinguish owners.

This legislation passed the Senate without opposition. It now returns to the House for approval of Senate changes before it can advance to the governor’s desk.

“Maryville contributes so much to our communities and the 10th Senate District,” Mulroe said. “I am happy to support their efforts to expand operations and help more medically-fragile children and their families.”

House Bill 763 would increase the number of children allowed to receive treatment at Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center under the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act. The legislation will now return to the House for approval of the Senate’s changes before it can advance to the governor’s desk.

Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center cares for children that depend on medical technology, such as ventilators, and other medically fragile children. The center trains parents to provide a smooth transition when a child returns home after hospitalization.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this legislation will have on families and the neighborhood,” Mulroe said. “I will continue to work with the House and governor’s office to ensure that this legislation becomes law.”

State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on today’s budget votes in the Illinois Senate:

Today, I voted for a complete and balanced budget to end the historic 692-day budget impasse. It includes revenue reforms and spending reductions that result in more than $3 billion in savings. The Senate has also passed a number of non-budgetary reforms, such as pension reform, term limits on Senate leadership, procurement reform and local government consolidation. In addition, the Senate is working on other requests made by the governor, including workers’ compensation reform and a property tax freeze. The impasse has had a detrimental effect on Illinoisans across the state, and it is past time for Illinois to pass a balanced budget.

The budget plan that passed the Senate today will provide fiscal stability and certainty for Illinois families, businesses, social service providers, schools and universities that so many have been clamoring for. It will end the practice of adding $11 million in unnecessary debt each day that has been the case during the impasse. This is a responsible budget plan that will provide the fiscal stability that our state needs.